The DepEd Sarangani Bulletin - June-July 2014

Alabel, Sarangani Province

Vol 1 Issue No. 1

June-July 2014

DepEd Sarangani goes RPMS To ensure that employees of the Department of Education have aligned individual roles and targets with DepEd direction, the division of Sarangani through its Human Resource Officer Ms. Julieta V.

by Elizabeth G. Torres

Lomocso, conducted series of Results Based Performance Management System Seminar to Supervisor in the division and District on June 13, 2014 at Sarangani Highlands and again for Principals and School Heads in

Above: Mrs. Norma Obogon talks about Management of Change during the Seminar Workshop on RPMS, Casa Luisa General Santos City.

Right: Teachers examine and fill out the new RPMS forms.

Sulong Sarangani maps NGO services

by Ariel C. Lalisan

In order to consolidate the individual efforts of various non-government organizations working in the province of Sarangani, the Sulong Talino component of the provincial government’s flagship program, Sulong Sarangani, held an NGO Conference and Service Mapping at Microtel, General Santos City, June 27.

According to Daniel Evans, program consultant for education, the conference was organized to avoid duplication of efforts and to indentify the areas that the various organizations serve.

Each organization presented what they are doing in their respective areas and those that offered similar services also discussed

among themselves the scope of their services and the possibility of partnerships.

FOR THE SARANGAN CHILDREN. About 15 nongovernment organizations that help improve access to and quality of education in Sarangani converged and established linkages with one another at the NGO Conference and Service Mapping. (Photo by Jake Narte)

the elementary and secondary on June 2021 at Family Country Hotel. The Later was conducted to train trainors for the cascade of trainings in the 19 districts and 33 high schools division wide.

Trainings in the districts and high schools were simultaneously done with the aim to reach out to every employee to focus work efforts towards achieving DepEd’s Vision, Mission and Values for consistent work improvements and individual growth.

Teachers and Administrators trained in the elementary was 3,062 while 1,250 in the secondary a total of 4,312.

The signing of the Individual Performance commitment and Review Form of the division employees was currently done after a day of revisiting defined goals and objectives while working on progress in the office and individuals roles and functions, in Sun City Suites on August 2, 2014.

BRIGADA ESKWELA

Perett CES competes in National Finals The Perrett Central Elementary School in Barangay Kalaong is one of the national finalists as regional entry in Brigada Eskwela 2014 under the small schools category of the Department of Education. Perett CES is the only entry from Sarangani Province.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide schools maintenance program that draws all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts and resources to ensure that public schools are physically ready for the opening of classes.

2 Sarangani

OPINION

Bulletin

The Demands of Leadership

Values or Power?

e d i t o r i a l

Teachers being people of authority are looked up to, not only by students but by peers, parents and the community. They are paragons of values such as honesty, patience, industry, cheerfulness and generosity.

Recently, problems besetting teachers in Sarangani were aired over the radio and television. It created a condition where there were negative criticisms in the rank and file including division office operations and work ethics were exposed to scrutiny. Such situation whether deliberate or not on the part of the perpetrators are unbecoming of public servants.

Power, on the other hand, if taken as individual rights as part of one’s duty is not at all a privilege. The strength of a person’s--whether mental, emotional, or physical--appeal to persuade is not at all an expression of one’s ability to force it to be an issue or to coerce. Instead, it is temperance, an ability to restrain the self especially as it involves the organization.

Problems in following standards and doing one’s duty are part of a teacher’s life. In breathing life as in problem handling, especially during clearance time, teachers and administrators should see eye to eye on managerial competence and disciplinary capability.

A famous writer said, “Let us not answer questions of life with questions instead let us let go and let God.”

ELIZABETH G. TORRES, EPS Editor in Chief LAFOREZA L. MAGUATE, EPS Associate Editor Contributors ARTURO D. TINGSON, ART EUGENE A. YGONIA, CHRISTINE MAY S. DOFILES ARIEL C. LALISAN, T-I Layout Artist ISAGANI S. DELA CRUZ, CESO IV Schools DIvision Superintendent DIOSDADO E. ABLANIDO Assit. Schools DIvision Superintendent DONNA S. PANES Chief, CID SHIRLEY M. CARDINAL Chief, SGOD

JUNE-JULY 2014

“With great power comes great responsibility” is a quotation Spiderman fans often copy. Being a Superintendent is ISAGANI S. DELA CRUZ not easy. It connotes command School’s Division Superintendent responsibility and accountability of enormous proportions. It entails a lot of leadership abilities, As a leader am I pusher or a puller? To managerial and decision making skills and, above all, the commitment of a attain DepEd’s vision, mission, and goals in Sarangani I need to be one or the other. public servant.

In the exercise of one’s power, he can How about you? The answer lies in your lead the followers by either pushing or commitment and adherence to our core values. pulling them. Which one are you?

SDSReflection

Anti-Red Tape Act: Towards Efficient Service Tape Act of 2007 and its IRR aim to promote transparency in all government offices, provide a clear systems and procedures of each office or agency with regard ARTURO D. TINGSON, JR., to the manner of transacting with Principal I the public. Thus, each agency is required to simplify service Today’s focus of many government procedures, formulate service standards agencies in the country is the initiation of for clients to observe or follow in every reforms and how these reforms contribute to transaction and make these standards known the delivery of public service that is efficient to the client. and effective to all concerned. Among the Part of the implementation of ARTA issues the government is facing recently and in its pursuit of a transparent and redare the specific concerns on corruption, tape free department, the DepEd Division inefficiency, bureaucratic red tape that of Sarangani has initiated the creation of penetrate the different tiers of government Citizen’s Charter to ensure transparency. The bureaucracies.

Citizen’s Charter is a guide which seeks to DepEd – Sarangani made a remarkable identify the agency’s frontline services and stride in enacting Republic Act 9485, step-by-step procedures, including specific otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act details on documents to be presented by a of 2007”. This is in response to the urgent client when filing complaints, requests and/ need to eliminate red tape and improve or certifications. frontline service delivery in the Division of Meanwhile, the division office Sarangani. The ARTA has become the most underscores and requires all offices as well conspicuous legal mechanism which is now as all schools in the division that render the focus of the division which spells out re- frontline services to adopt appropriate engineering of systems and procedures for working schedules to ensure that all clients an efficient and effective delivery of frontline who are within their premises prior to the services. end of official working hours are attended to Pursuant to Section 16 of said law, the and served even during lunch break. Thus, Civil Service Commission (CSC), as mandated the “No Noon Break” policy is required to therein, promulgated the Implementing implement a suitable working schedule to Rules and Regulations of said act. Anti-Red ensure uninterrupted public service delivery.

Point of View

{

versus

“Where in the world can you see a system wherein an employee is asked to have an output that is beyond 100 percent – this is something very inhumane and is in violation of our rights to be treated accordingly and rightfully,” France Castro, ACT Secretary General

}

“The RPMS results will guide the Department in providing training interventions to ensure continuous development... This is part of DepEd’s commitment to provide quality education to our learners... [It] is intended to raise the bar and encourage excellence in government service.”

Bro. Armin A. Luistro, DepEd Secretary

FEATURES

JUNE-JULY 2014

Sarangani Bulletin

OPLAN BALIK ESKWELA

3

Tomorrow’s Builders ART EUGENE A. YGOÑA, T-II Malungon Central Elementary School SPED Center

I

f we look at today’s engineering and architectural works, we cannot help but be fascinated at the ingenuity of the minds behind such feats. How in the earth could they have built, created and invented such techs and wonders? We simply marvel before them.

In one of his timeless words of wisdom, Socrates, a famous Greek Philosopher, once said “Education is the kindling of a flame”.

He was trying to enlighten others, especially teachers and mentors, the importance of enkindling the mind of every child and learner because by doing so would make him/ her thirst for learning. Once the child learns, he/ she would never seize to learn more because in learning the child realizes that he/she can do great things. To enkindle is to make the fire burn within.

Engineers and architects have minds blazing with insights, and it was there mentors who started the flame within them.

We educators are destined to waken and enflame our pupils’ minds so that they too could be “builders” of tomorrow.

Last June 2, 2014 teachers geared up for the opening of classes. The once notso-crowded and busy hallways are now packed and filled with children chatting, making friends and laughing. The life of the school is back. But behind all these another great responsibility is laid to all teachers. Their tasks to mold, teach and touch lives continue. Teachers are also called to become “builders” of tomorrow.

People say that the future is yet to come and that we should not worry. But if we look at it in a higher perspective the future begins now. What we do today will have repercussions to what is to come tomorrow.

Educators should look at each child as a potential and productive community builder in the future. Every child has an innate craving for learning, and it is our task to make such craving for learning grow. What we teach today, especially the values, will be of greater help to the child as he/ she lives on with the dreams he/ she has set in life.

We are among the “architects and

engineers” in the lives of our children. If we build a strong foundation in them then these children will sure to have a brighter tomorrow; but if educators root them in a shaky and not-steadfast foundation then these children might continue to live in ignorance.

Coming back to school will never be the same again for the pupils if teachers see them as children craving for learning.

A new school year is something to look forward to since it is one great opportunity for teachers to reinvent himself or herself for the good of the pupils.

Making a Name in International Research

A

CHRISTINE MAY S. DOFILES, T-I Kalonbarak Elementary School

nother pride of Sarangani takes it biggest leap as she faces the international scenes. Renetchie Bedecer-Martinez, T-III of Malungon National High School, has marked significant contributions in Research where she was recognized internationally.

This brilliant lady has been into teaching for 15 years now. Martinez values balance between her work and family. She is happily married to Joel Martinez, an Agricultural Technologist of LGUMalungon, Sarangani Province.

They are truly blessed with three lovely children: Hannah Faye, Haren Joash and Halejah.

Martinez finished her Bachelor in

Secondary Education Major in English from Mindanao State University, General Santos City in April 1997. During her graduation, she received an award as Model Practice Teacher in Secondary Department. This is a clear manifestation of her dedication and commitment in teaching. She earned her Master of Arts in Reading in MSU-GSC Graduate School in March 2011. Presently, she is pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management from the same school.

This dynamic lady has pushed her limits as she presented relevant research studies in various countries bringing the name of DepEd-Sarangani. Her interest and expertise has opened her so many doors, local and international. The following are some of her participation in conferences and research forums, to wit: A Research Presenter in International Research on Business, Management and Social Science held on September 26-27, 2013 at Pearl Hotel International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Her presentation was entitled “Impact of Indigenous Parents’ Involvement on the Academic Performance in English of Grade 7

Students”.

Last February 3-4, 2014, Martinez was the lead research presenter and lone team from Philippines in an International Conference Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Bangkok University, Thailand. Her research study was entitled “Impact of Multiple Intelligence on the Reading Comprehension of Fourth Year Students”.

Recently, she was acclaimed as a lead research presenter and lone team from Philippines in European Conference on Research Methods where she presented her study entitled “Potential Contribution of Mixed Methods in Evaluating the Instructional Activities in English under the K-12 Program: A Pilot Study”. This conference was conducted last June 16-17, 2014 at Cass Business School in the City University of London, United Kingdom.

In spite of her great accomplishments, Martinez remains humble and hopeful to be inspiring to other Sarangan teachers who values personal growth and professional development. She is dedicating this biggest leap of success to the Division of Sarangani and to her loving family.

4 Sarangani

Bulletin

FEATURES

JUNE-JULY 2014

InLittle Our Own Ways

ARIEL C. LALISAN, T-I Alabel National Science High School n the past three years, I have been going he was in second year that time and he has a up the mountains with a group of young son who was a year ahead of him.) I noticed people from my neighborhood in Alabel. that their library was empty. In a conversation What I had in mind when I started was simply with one of the teachers, we learned that there to take a break from the arduous tasks of being were only eight of them teaching Grade 1 up a teacher (and some other hats I chose to wear). to Third Year high school. And so I wondered, I did not imagine that it was going to lead me to “Not enough teachers, not enough books. How a new vocation. could the students learn well in a situation like I have always loved the outdoors. I this?”

The next time we visited got it from my active New Canaan, we brought participation in scouting with us over a hundred events when I was still mountaineers, each one a student and from my brining three to four books and tree-planting activities we also planted trees there. We in remote sites as a did that again in the year that member of Junior followed and we helped their Ecologists Movement student government establish in high school. When I a plant nursery so they can learned that the guys in start their own tree planting the neighborhood are activities on their own. into mountaineering, Team BUNDOL I decided to join them.

Mountaineers (the name of That decision led to my our group) started to take on current passion. as an advocacy to help schools Our first trekking in far-flung areas. In the past together was to New three years, we have organized Canaan in Brgy. Pagasa, Alabel, Sarangani Province. We heard delivery of school supplies, feeding, reading that there is a beautiful waterfall in that place. and fun games with the kids, and tree planting After about two hours of dizzying ride on a activities in Nop Primary School, Pongoleel motorcycle that just zooms along a winding, Integrated School, Dacera Integrated School, rolling dirt road, we started a three-hour trek Purok Acacia Day Care Center, Malapatan Day crossing the river at least 17 times (I lost count) Care Center, Kiahe Integrated School, and just recently at the annex of Mamanawa Elementary to reach the Atnayan waterfall.

We stayed at New Canaan Integrated School in Sitio Lanao, Sapu Masla, Malapatan.

Our trek in Sitio Lanao is one of our School for the night. The PTA president at that time gladly accommodated us. (We also most memorable so far. Sitio Lanao is a small learned that the PTA president also goes to community in the hinterlands of Malapatan.

We learned about the place from Oliver school as an adult learner – Tablazon of Hearts and Brains, Inc. (HABI) and Dr. Roel Cagape, who we met at the NGO Conference organized

by Sulong Sarangani. It has never been visited by lowlanders as big as our team. I couldn’t believe that until we started our trek. It was very noticeable that all we met along the trail always had someone who walks along with them carrying a firearm.

To reach Sitio Lanao, one has to walk for four to five hours, crossing a river about as many times as we did in New Canaan. It took us longer because we carried sheets of plywood.

I

Those materials were to be used in making tables and chairs for the kids in Sitio Lanao.

The school in Lanao has two adjoined makeshift classrooms about six meters wide and ten meters long. The blackboard they are using is a painted piece of plywood four feet wide and two feet high. I also saw four makeshift school chairs. From the data we obtained from the teachers, we learned that there are 271 kids enrolled there.

One of our companions asked the kids if they know PNoy or their Mayor and they all shook their heads – even their parents. There was no photo of them inside their classroom.

But they know Cong. Manny Pacquiao because some of them have t-shirts with his face printed on it.

I have no background in carpentry. I have never built anything other than my science project in high school, which only required stick glue. All the things I learned about the place and the people of Sitio Lanao, and that whirlwind of emotions I felt upon seeing their situation seemed to give me the strength to swing the saw through the wood and to hit the nails with the hammer.

We have constructed and painted nine tables in a day of working and we left them with materials enough for 21 more tables that the parents have agreed to build. The materials were bought from the donations given by benevolent organizations and individuals who responded to my post on Facebook.

Our trekking might be very tiring— we often fumble our own pockets for our transportation and food and we are under the sun for long hours, but I am so amazed by the dedication of the members of my team. Most of them do not have their own income but they never surrendered. They, too, fell in love with helping the needy. If there is a success indicator for what we are doing, it is the happiness that is clearly seen in the faces of my team members in our small talks as we share our boodle fight of sinugbang isda and bagoong after each trek.

Seriously, we don’t get anything from what we are doing – only stories we can tell our children in the future.

Learn more about Team BUNDOL Mountaineers and how you may partner with them at http://saranganitrekking. blogspot.com and http://iam.ariellalisan.com.